Tunnel Vision

Observe with me the following conversation.

Manny: The church is biblically illiterate! Drop everything, we need to teach the church to interpret Scripture!

Moe: Well sure, but we live in an anti-intellectualism culture struggling with doubt, what we really need is philosophy and apologetics!

Jack: You’re missing it, believers are spiritually dry! They long for the rivers of living water! We need true sanctification and spiritual formation!

Get the picture? Everyone seems to think they have it down. They dogmatically believe they know exactly what the church needs. Yet, the church needs all these things.

I find that in my past experiences, I often get into a "tunnel vision" mentality, where I think I know the one and exact thing that is needed for the body. It really is pride, thinking that I've got it down and I am all discerning. Luckily I often don't get my way, for God has different plans. Especially at such a young and inexperienced age, I cringe at times thinking upon the past, where I had a "my way or the highway mentality." I may be right at times, but I still need to have the humility and wisdom to realize that my perspective isn't all encompassing.

I'm probably the Manny of the above conversation, dogmatic to what I believe, while completely ignoring the Jack's, Moe's, Meg's, Monica's etc of the church who also bring a great perspective. I remember before I was on pastoral staff I would be so critical of the staff, wondering why won't they setup that which our church so "obviously" needs. Man how thats changed. What the heck do I know, I sit in most pastoral meetings silent, because most of the time, we're dealing with stuff beyond my ability. I'm almost afraid to ask it, but I do pray that God would teach me humility.